Can Washington Ignore the Biggest State in the Union?
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A lot of cold water's been thrown on California's effort to get federal bailout money so that budget cuts won't cause so much pain. But can Washington really ignore the biggest state in the Union? We hear about negotiating tactics and political realities. Also, the sudden retirement of LA's fire chief. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, President Obama turned community organizer once again today, trying to rev-up last year's grassroots army of volunteers. Will they respond by helping him govern the way they helped him campaign?
Main Topic
The Obama White House and the Permanent Campaign ()
After winning the White House, President Obama said his volunteer army of 13 million would play a crucial role in his administration. His campaign apparatus was reincarnated at the Democratic National Committee and called Organizing for America. Today, Mr. Obama took part in a conference call designed to mobilize the army around healthcare.
Guests:
- Mitch Stewart: Executive Director, Organizing for America
- Lynn Sweet: Columnist, PoliticsDaily.com
- Carol Zachery: former Volunteer, Obama Presidential Campaign
- Stacy Deck: Volunteer, Organizing for America
- David Winston: Republican pollster and strategist, Winston Group, @dhwinston
- Peter Kastor: Associate Professor of History and American Culture Studies, Washington University
Making News
The Sudden Retirement of LA's Fire Chief ()
After ugly incidents of racism and sexism led to civil rights lawsuits against the Los Angeles City Fire Department, Mayor Villaraigosa appointed veteran Douglas Barry as interim chief. That was two years ago. Today, Barry abruptly resigned. Rick Orlov covers City Hall for the Daily News.
Guests:
- Rick Orlov: City Hall Bureau Chief, Los Angeles Daily News, @Rickorlov
Main Topic
Can Washington Ignore the Biggest State in the Union? ()
In 1975, a local newspaper headline said, "Ford to New York City: Drop Dead." But President Gerald Ford relented and agreed to back loans that kept the city from going bankrupt. Now California is asking Washington for a similar kind of help. Will Washington want to see sick children out on the street? What about the municipal bond market?
Guests:
- Brad Sherman: Congressman (D-CA), @BradSherman
- Daniel Mitchell: Professor Emeritus of Management and Public Policy, UCLA
Reporter's Notebook
Crossing the Border for Cheaper Healthcare ()
High costs and the lack of insurance drive nearly one million Californians to Mexico every year for medical care. That's according to researchers at UCLA. Steven Wallace, Associate Director at the Center for Health Policy Research, co-authored a recent study.
Guests:
- Steven Wallace: Associate Director, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
Underwriters
Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.
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